Tim Barkman

Obituary

Tim Barkman was born June 17, 1961, to Arthur (Art) and Elizabeth Barkman in Steinbach. He passed away of cancer on May 3, 2021 leaving behind his wife Bernice, his four children and nine grandchildren, Keith (Melissa) Barkman (Zane), Karen (Matthew) Klippenstein (Judah, Selah, Micaiah), Pearl (Andrew) Buhler (Desmond, Windsor), and Paul (Laura) Barkman (James, Madison, Theo). He was predeceased by his father and brother Brian. He is survived by his mother (Elizabeth), as well as six siblings (Joyce, Bill, Norman, Tina, Vic, Joe).

Tim moved around a lot as a child, from Blumenort, Manitoba to Red Lake, Ontario, and back again to Blumenort. He talked a lot about the many escapades with his brothers and their many memorable adventures, such as catching squirrels or keeping snakes in a box.

As a teenager, Tim moved back with his family to Blumenort, living just out of town. He demonstrated and developed a strong work ethic as he started to catch chickens and turkeys. He eventually dropped out of school to work full-time at Granny’s Poultry in order to buy their family home, allowing them to stay. He would often talk of the many people who would pick him up as he hitchhiked home, and went the extra mile, always finding a reason to bring him all the way home instead of just dropping him off in town.

Tim continued to work at Granny’s for the next 20 years, until he got his class 1 license and drove for a variety of companies such as Kordite, Steve’s Livestock, Big Freight, Elite Swine and Landmark Feeds. He left trucking when he got a Job at KK Penner Tires helping with the shipping, receiving and inventory. He really enjoyed connecting with the many people who picked up tires, and driving the forklift, which his grandchildren remember well. He viewed every job he had as a ministry, working hard and being a blessing to as many people as possible to bring glory to God through everything he did. He also worked in the greenhouse on the yard for many years, making sure that the buildings were maintained and heated. This led to him being known for cutting down trees in the neighbourhood, and he cut down many a tree that had died or were causing problems.

Although Tim dropped out of school after grade 9, he later got his grade 12 equivalency, and studied at Steinbach Bible College for a time. Despite his limited education, he highly valued learning, especially about God and His Word. Tim continued to learn and study, even taking a course online this past year to learn more about his Saviour and how he could serve him.

Tim married Bernice (Reimer) on December 31st, 1983, at the age of 22. They had their first child, Keith, three years later, followed by Karen, Pearl, and Paul. Tim was a devoted husband and father, who worked hard for his family, but also always found time to play, especially to wrestle with his kids. Keith recalls the only time Tim finished wrestling early was after a large knee drop that caused a broken rib. Tim’s legacy lives on in his nine grandchildren whom he poured out so much time and energy for. There are countless others who would also call Tim “Grandpa” as he desired to be such to every child, he met who needed a grandpa in their lives. He longed for everyone to know and understand the Father heart of God and had a passion for those who would feel left out or were an underdog in some manner.

Having been impacted by caring friends who witnessed to him, Tim accepted Christ at the age of 18 after months of prayer from his future spouse and impactful dreams of caring friends who witnessed to him and led him to Christ. This was always the most important relationship in his life and wanted everyone to know the joy he had in Christ. He was baptized in Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church (later known as Blumenort Community Church) and continued to be a member there for the rest of his life. He served as a deacon in the church, Sunday School teacher, and the unofficial welcomer for many years.

Tim’s greatest accomplishments were always those that impacted people. He lived for the glory of God and was excited to see his children following Christ. He worked hard to extend God’s influence by bringing others into his own family in many ways. He always looked out for the underdog and those looking for a friend. He loved welcoming people to church, believing that everyone who came to church should find a welcome greeting and a friend. He was known as the Blumenort Church greeting committee. Tim was an active member of the community and enjoyed sharing his property with many who used his bridge and path but a condition for using his path was being willing to say hello as you walked by. He loved that he had a mission field literally in his front yard as he took every opportunity, he had to not just say hello to those passing through, but to ask about their life and where they were at with Jesus. One of the greatest mission experiences he had was when he spent 5 ½ month driving the bus for an African children’s’ choir, Asante (later known as 7 Wells), as they toured through Canada. Tim felt a father’s heart toward these children, and kept in close contact with many of them, until his dying day.

The funeral will take place at Blumenort Community Church at 2pm on Saturday, May 8th, 2021, and will be broadcast on Blumenort Community Church YouTube channel for public viewing. There will be a viewing on Friday, May 7th, 2021, at Birchwood funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards 7 Wells Family Empowerment Through Farming.

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